Only the Young — Taylor Swift

anetteaponte
Apr 8, 2023
2 min read

Updated: May 4, 2023

Title: Only the Young

Artist: Taylor Swift

Year: 2020

Composer: Taylor Swift

Genre: Pop

This political anthem was released in a 2020 Netflix documentary on Taylor Swift's career. The story behind this song comes during a period in her career where she decided to include her political opinions to her brand. Personally, I believe it is important to speak up, especially with matters as important as our country's political future. While the video I selected is in support of the Democratic campaign, I hope that everyone, regardless of political affiliation, feels inspired to voice their opinions and practice their constitutional right to vote.

Taylor Swift's lyrics "the game was rigged, the ref was tricked / the wrong ones think they're right" reference the hypocrisy in the Republican party's attempts to remove voters that favored the Democratic candidates during the 2020 election. Moreover, the video shows the many groups that marched for their rights, which the Trump Administration threatened to remove.

In her second verse, Taylor Swift addresses the fear that comes with gun violence: So every day now / You brace for the sound you've only heard on T.V. / You go to class scared / Wondering where the best hiding spot would be. Three years later, the number of shootings in schools—and other public places—has only increased; in the first 123 days of 2023, there have been 192 mass shootings.

To evoke action, Taylor Swift reminds her listeners that they have the power, only the young can run. We gotta do it ourselves. The pop aspects of this song resonate with younger audiences and its repetitive nature is catchy, sure to remain in the heads of those who listen to it. This leaves Swift's message lingering in our minds way after having heard her song.

Connection to Playlist

The categorization of this song is Glory, which feels fitting for the pledge to motivate the youth to exercise their rights to vote. In doing so, we may achieve the change we wish to see.